Topic
Long weekend in Dolly Sods
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Home › Forums › General Forums › General Lightweight Backpacking Discussion › Long weekend in Dolly Sods
- This topic is empty.
-
AuthorPosts
-
Mar 20, 2012 at 4:41 am #1287493
Any suggestions for a 3 day backpacking trip in Dolly Sods?
There seem to be a number of shorter segments but I a trying to string together a weekend trip. Are there sections or trails we shouldn't miss?
Thanks!
-Mike
Mar 20, 2012 at 4:46 am #1856430what kind of mileage are you looking to do each day? that will really determine your routing. also, when do you plan on going, if it's before Fire Road 75 is opened sometime in April, that too will determine your routing.
with that info i can recommend a circuit.
Mar 20, 2012 at 7:42 am #1856495Thanks.
We plan to arrive at night on Thursday April 19th and leave around lunch or early afternoon on Sunday April 22nd.
Not sure about miles per/day. We are in shape 40 somethings. We want to see what can be seen but we are not focused on how much mileage we can do. Maybe 8 to 15 miles per day depending on climbs.
Thanks.
-Mike
Mar 20, 2012 at 7:53 am #1856503I'm quite partial to the Rim Trail at neighboring Roaring Plains Wilderness.
Mar 20, 2012 at 7:56 am #1856507the big issue is if FR 75 gate will be open. i will assume it will not and i'll come up with a proposed circuit for two days of 12 milers and one day of 4 miles that will pretty much showcase Dolly Sods.
i just spoke with Bonnie and she is not sure when FR75 will open.
Mar 21, 2012 at 8:18 am #1857077Steven, Assuming FR75 is open (I think we will know as we get closer) can you sketch out what you are thinking about? Thanks!
Zach, Thanks! I will check it out.
-Mike
Mar 21, 2012 at 8:46 am #1857090Michael,
Steve is a great resource for Dolly Sods – he's already suggested a route for me to take with another group of 40-somethings in May. I'd be really curious about stream crossings when you go. Here's a link to another thread talking about Dolly Sods.
You'll notice in the photo (and the accompanying text) that the water is waist deep…The 40-somethings who accompany me wouldn't do that crossing ANY time of year, especially not when the water is in the 30's or 40's.
Please plan on posting a trip report with, if you don't mind, photos and descriptions of the stream crossings. Thanks!
Mar 21, 2012 at 11:00 am #1857154ok, here it is…
print out this map and follow along
http://www.wvhighlands.org/Maps/usfs_mnf/dolly_sods.pdf
IF FR 75 is open…
Thursday night: park at Bear Rocks and follow TR522 (Bear Rocks trail) to the stream crossing just west of the TR526 (Dobbin Grade) junction. there is a great campsite here in a small pine stand, out of the wind and right near the water. it's a little over a mile from the parking lot and is mostly down hill.
Friday: hike west on TR522 and then continue west on TR521 (Raven Ridge). turn south at the junction with TR524 (Rocky Ridge) and enjoy the wonderful views from the large rock outcroppings. head east on TR553 (Breathed Mtn ) then continue south on TR514 (Red Creek). just prior to crossing Red Creek at the bottom of the hill, look on your left for a campsite, it's a small flat wedge along the water and a 20' high burm. there is a waterfall in the creek that is just awesome. this is about 11.5 miles.
Saturday: head south on TR514 crossing Red Creek and then crossing back at the junction of TR513 (Big Stonecoal). head north up (literally up) to the junction of TR554 (Rocky Point). follow Rocky Point around looking for a trail on the right hand side that goes up the hill to the peak of Breathed Mtn. enjoy the view of Red Creek and catch your breath :)
continue north on TR513 to TR511 (Blackbird Knob), you'll recognize this spot from the previous day. head east on TR511 passing the junctions of TR525, TR514 and TR509. drop down the hill (and over the log) and at the creek crossing at the bottom you will find several campsites. there is a good site on the island with plenty of room for tents and there is a great fire ring.
this isn't big mileage, just about 9.5, but i think it's enough since you will be atop Breathed Mtn exploring and relaxing longer than you think if the weather is nice.
Sunday: retrace your steps up the hill to TR 509 (Upper Red Creek) and then head east on TR526 (Dobbin Grade) to the junction with TR522 (Bear Rocks). follow this back to your cars. this is just under 5 miles and it's all up hill. a great way to finish off the weekend, mind the mud :)
Mar 21, 2012 at 12:17 pm #1857187the water level of Red Creek could be rather high in April, esp. if it has rained heavily within 24 hours of your trip. the upland glades (sods) take about 24 hours to drain and really fill up Red Creek.
the difficult crossings for this trip if the water is high will be the two crossings of red Creek on TR 514. you can skip that crossing if the water is too fast and high by climbing up to TR554 (Rocky Point) and then picking up TR513. Big Stonecoal will have two places where high and fast water might be an inconvenience, but it a few minutes of walking along the bank will get you to a safe place that isn't waist deep.
the crossing of the left fork of Red Creek on TR511 is super tricky in high water. there are several large rocks to walk on, even with those, the water was up to my knees. just take your time and you should have no problems.
Mar 22, 2012 at 7:03 am #1857596Thanks for the comprehensive response. Processing your advice…
Mar 29, 2012 at 10:19 am #1860973the gate is scheduled to open on April 15th. i'm planning a weekend trip for April 20-22, if anyone would like to join me, you are more than welcome, be ready to get wet :)
Apr 16, 2012 at 12:12 pm #1867782just spoke with Bonnie and Fire Road 75 opened today. of course it was just in time for the rain this weekend.
see you all there!
Apr 16, 2012 at 12:30 pm #1867789I designed a 35 mile circuit through Dolly Sods to hit the best parts last year.
http://files.meetup.com/1502009/35%20Mile%20Dolly%20Sods%20Map%20Sets.pdf
I think I'm going to tinker around with a 50 mile version incorporating most of the trails of Flatrock and Roaring Plains for this year.
Glad to hear FR 75 is finally open. It was silly it was closed so long in such a warm spring.
Apr 16, 2012 at 1:15 pm #1867802the road was closed due to the very soft road surface – they got a bunch of rain up there.
Apr 17, 2012 at 11:29 am #1868164I spent all day Saturday playing at Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob. The rain set in as my girlfriend and I were enjoying burritos (add ramps for $1.50!) and Mountain State beer at Hellbender in Davis. Too bad about the road… Hopefully it'll be good to go for this weekend.
Apr 20, 2012 at 12:07 pm #1869418as i predicted, a rainy weekend. i'm still going, a little rain isn't going to stop me from my only weekend of fun this month ;)
Apr 22, 2012 at 1:53 pm #1869956Well, I had a great time… did you get out there Mike?
here's a quick video
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Forum Posting
A Membership is required to post in the forums. Login or become a member to post in the member forums!
Our Community Posts are Moderated
Backpacking Light community posts are moderated and here to foster helpful and positive discussions about lightweight backpacking. Please be mindful of our values and boundaries and review our Community Guidelines prior to posting.
Get the Newsletter
Gear Research & Discovery Tools
- Browse our curated Gear Shop
- See the latest Gear Deals and Sales
- Our Recommendations
- Search for Gear on Sale with the Gear Finder
- Used Gear Swap
- Member Gear Reviews and BPL Gear Review Articles
- Browse by Gear Type or Brand.